Specialized Programs

College can be a positive and enriching experience for students of all ages and backgrounds. Harper College wants every student to achieve success in their college endeavor and to have the opportunity to grow both in and out of the classroom. The programs and services listed below are designed toward this end.

Adult Educational Development

The Adult Educational Development (AED) Department serves adults who are pursuing their high school equivalency (HSE) or wanting to improve their English proficiency.  

AED provides instruction for eligible students 16 years old and over who do not have a high school diploma or equivalency and are not currently enrolled in high school. Instruction prepares students for completion of the Illinois High School Equivalency exam through all approved tests (Pearson Vue GED and HiSET). Classes in Social Studies, Science, English, and Math give students the confidence to progress from the Foundation level to Pre-HSE and HSE-level classes. Upon successful completion of the exams, students earn in a state recognized Illinois High School Diploma. 

English Literacy Acquisition (ELA) classes help non-native learners achieve competence in reading, writing, speaking and comprehension skills for daily survival, employment, and academic achievement. These programs enhance communication, digital literacy, and cultural understanding, empowering individuals to secure better jobs, transition to postsecondary education, and become more active citizens.  

AED programs prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce through Bridge and Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) courses. Bridge classes help students build the foundational academic and employability skills needed to transition into postsecondary education and career pathway programs. In ICAPS classes, students are enrolled in a college credit course(s) while they simultaneously attend an AED support class that reinforces academic and career readiness skills. 

The AED department is connected with the community and provides support, resources and referrals through faculty and staff contact with students. Funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA) of 2014, the AED program must report student outcomes and standardized test level gains to the state and federal government. AED is committed to helping learners make academic progress, obtain completion, and meet individual student goals.  

Daytime and evening courses are available. For more information and to register online, go to harpercollege.edu/academics/aed or contact the AED Office at aedinfo@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6223.

Apprenticeships

In collaboration with local employers, Harper College offers a number of Apprenticeship Programs. To learn more, visit the Apprenticeship Programs page.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are for individuals who are native speakers of another language and who need to improve their English language skills for academic or employment purposes. Courses are offered for credit at beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. Both an intensive English program and part-time program are offered.

The ESL/Linguistics Department serves students from any language background. Some students are referred to the department from the Harper College assessment program. Student educational backgrounds range from nine grades completed through completion of graduate/professional programs. Students with fewer than nine years of education are referred to the Adult Educational Development Department for enrollment in the Nonnative Literacy Program.

Students are tested during registration and counseled for appropriate program and course placement. For more information, contact the department office in Building D Room D138 or call 847.925.6227

English Language Program

The English Language Program (ELP) is for those students who wish to improve their English language skills for educational, professional or employment reasons on a full or part-time basis. Depending on their proficiency level, students may enroll in one or more classes, including integrated skills courses, as well as courses in reading, writing, grammar, conversation, TOEFL preparation and other supplemental courses. Students at the higher levels in this program may also enroll in other appropriate college courses.

Fast Track Program

Fast Track is an accelerated, part-time certificate and degree completion program designed specifically for busy students.

  • Pre-selected and pre-scheduled, allowing for more independent work
  • Primarily offered in 5- to 8-week lengths, accelerating your learning
  • One class at a time, guaranteed with a consistent schedule.
  • Classes held in fully online format.
  • Offered in a cohort format, allowing for peer support and progress
  • Limited in size, allowing for personalized interactions with your instructors

The degrees currently available in Fast Track are an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Management or Human Resources Management, and an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Supply Chain Management.

Various certificate programs also available include Business Management, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Social Media Specialist, E2E Supply Chain Management (with built-in Procurement, Inventory/Production Control, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management certificates), and Customer Success and Sales.

Fast Track Admission Requirements

Acceptance into the Fast Track program requires prospective students to complete the general Harper Application for Admission plus the following:

  • Meet with a Fast Track advisor to discuss the program in detail and determine if it meets your educational and career goals. Any prior credit that can apply to the program requirements will also be discussed.
  • Complete English placement testing, or have prior credit, for those interested in the AAS degree. English placement minimum score is 4.0 (essay).
  • All other certificates do not require English or math placement testing. English placement testing is recommended for the Social Media Specialist certificate.
  • Online orientation required before beginning first course.

Students with prior college credit at Harper or another institution must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better to enter Fast Track.  Exceptions to this requirement can be made on a case-by-case basis.

Don't worry if you've been out of the classroom for a while or if you feel a little rusty on basic skills, we can help you prepare—just ask us how. Visit the Fast Track webpage for more information.

Honors Program

Harper College seeks to stimulate, encourage and recognize work of depth, scope and originality by its students. A balanced curriculum of Honors courses is offered in the major areas required for the General Education component of associate degrees.

Honors students enjoy the benefit of reduced class size and the challenge of social and intellectual interaction with other high-achieving students while they acquire the breadth of understanding and develop leadership qualities that such settings enhance. Additionally, the Honors Program provides students a variety of opportunities to extend their learning beyond the classroom.

All Honors courses are noted as such on the student's official transcript. Additionally, upon fulfilling all other degree requirements, students who have completed at least 12 hours of Honors coursework (which must include either Honors HUM 105 or HST 105) and maintain a GPA of 3.25 or higher will be designated as Honors Program graduates.

To be admitted to Honors classes, students must meet specified criteria, complete an Honors application and have an interview with a coordinator of Honors. Applications are available on the Honors Program website. Applications are accepted at any point during the year.

The College also offers several scholarships based primarily on academic achievement. (Some of these scholarships are only open to members of the Honors Program). Scholarship information is in the Office of Student Financial Assistance.

There are also a number of transfer opportunities and transfer scholarships only open to members of the Honors Program.

The Center for Global Education and Engagement 

Harper College’s Center for Global Education and Engagement (CGEE) is dedicated to helping every student and the broader community thrive in a world that is more interconnected than ever. CGEE’s mission is to foster global awareness, cross cultural understanding, and inclusive learning experiences that prepare students to engage thoughtfully and responsibly across cultures. We envision Harper College as a national model for accessible and transformative global learning, where international partnerships, intercultural collaboration, and equitable opportunities empower all members of our community to become globally minded leaders. 

Students at Harper have many opportunities to broaden their horizons through global learning. Study abroad programs, internationalized courses, and virtual global exchanges offer a chance to see the world from new perspectives, develop cross cultural communication skills, and build real world experience that strengthens transfer applications and future career pathways. Whether participating in a short-term faculty led program, a semester abroad, or internationally themed campus activities, students are invited to engage with global issues, diverse cultures, and international communities in meaningful ways. CGEE provides guidance at every step, from choosing a program to navigating the application process, preparing for travel, and making the most of the experience upon return. 

Harper also recognizes academic commitment to global learning through the Global Scholars Distinction, a 12-credit hour graduation honor that encourages students to explore global themes in their coursework and document their learning in a reflective portfolio and capstone project. Supported by CGEE staff and faculty mentors, the Distinction allows students to connect their academic interests with global challenges and opportunities, creating an advantage for future study, scholarships, and employment. 

International students are an essential part of this global community and play a vibrant and essential role in the Harper College community. Their languages, traditions, and lived experiences enrich our classrooms, broaden our conversations, and help all students see the world through a wider lens. At Harper, we take pride in fostering a welcoming environment where students from around the globe feel supported, valued, and connected. Our campus is deeply enriched by their presence, and the intercultural friendships and learning that emerge benefit the entire college. 

Harper College is committed to creating a welcoming environment where all students feel at home and contribute to a campus that is more inclusive, connected, and globally aware. The College’s academic programs, cultural activities, and international student services are supported by the Center for Global Education and Engagement and demonstrate our dedication to global learning. Through CGEE, students from all backgrounds, whether they grew up abroad, dream of studying abroad, or simply want to understand the world more deeply, can find pathways to connect, explore, and participate in a diverse and dynamic global community. 

For more information about our programs visit us online. 

Online Learning

A wide variety of courses are available to students via the web. Online and blended (Online component with reduced campus class time) courses offer the options of flexible learning time as well as communication with instructors and classmates via e-mail, discussion forums, through asynchronous (online anytime) or synchronous (online live) modalities. A personal computer, specific hardware and software requirements, online access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and a Harper email account are necessary.

Harper College uses Blackboard, a learning management system (LMS), which can be accessed through the student portal, for courses offered via distance course modalities. Instructors may offer an online orientation session at the beginning of each semester. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these as they are critical to course success.

Online Course Exchange (OCE)

The Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO) is a consortium of Illinois community colleges that provides access to online courses throughout the state for students, regardless of which college they attend. Registration, financial aid and transcripts are handled through Harper College for its students, regardless of where the course is offered. Discussion with a Harper Advisor prior to registration is necessary, as students who want to enroll through OCE need to adhere to specific enrollment procedures.

For information about current distance learning courses offered by Harper College, please call 847.925.6700 or visit Harper Online.

Start Smart Program

The Start Smart Program is designed to help new degree seeking students transition to college by addressing many of the common “new student” concerns and to ensure that students receive all the support they might need while at Harper College. Courses in the Start Smart Program are taught by experienced faculty who care about their students and know exactly how to provide support AND inspire – at the same time. There are Start Smart options aligned with each Area of Interest in order to provide curriculum that is relevant to each student’s individual academic and career goals.

After successful completion of a Start Smart Experience, students will be able to:

  1. identify and utilize Harper resource services to help meet their personal and academic needs,
  2. demonstrate responsible academic behaviors appropriate to intellectual engagement, such as the application of active learning strategies, 
  3. create an educational plan which includes academic and career goals and exploration of options leading to completion.

All new degree-seeking students with fewer than 12 hours of college credit earned after completing high school are strongly encouraged to participate in a Start Smart experience within their first two semesters at Harper College. Students will select an appropriate Start Smart option aligned with their Area of Interest when they meet with their advisor during New Student Orientation. To learn more about the Start Smart Program and to view Start Smart options, visit https://www.harpercollege.edu/academics/firstyear.php. Contact the Center for New Students and Orientation at 847.925.6208 for additional information.